SOMEBODY - Roy Templeman, for instance - really should inform the Deputy Prime Minister's office of the parlous state of York's retail prospects. For Mr Prescott, to judge by two recent speeches, regards York as a city "still thriving - still sustainable".

York, he says, is one of those historic cities which is not a place "where business goes on but where life in its real sense, is lost. Millions come to visit these cities. Everyone loves them: not because they are museum pieces; but because they are great places to live, work and enjoy".

Last week planning minister Keith Hill was singing from the same hymn sheet. "We need to make sure we conserve those historic places which give our towns and cities their uniqueness and character. It is crucial for building a sense of local community."

Hill tells us: "last month we launched 'CABE Space' to champion better parks and public spaces. And we're putting in more than £200 million of new money over the next three years to improve public spaces."

Surely, City of York Council will be swayed by such enthusiasm to seek a better solution for the land between Clifford's Tower and the Foss than those dismal shops?

As John Prescott says: "It's not rocket science. We used to do it. Think of the way our ancestors built cities centuries ago - Bath, Chester, Edinburgh and York. All places we're proud of."

Exactly.

Keith Daggett,

Ouse Lea,

York.

Updated: 11:35 Thursday, July 24, 2003